Caminos in the USA: Are you ready for the big one?

[Anthony Rocco]

We are on the second day walking the Camino de la Unidad. This is an officially sanctioned Camino route. See attached Credential. See attached. And the sellos along the way are special.

But wait there's more...much more. In the Credential is a route map of the Camino en USA. Wow! Anyone up to walking this mega Camino?

Of course, there route is not yet sanctioned, not are other pilgrimage walks, such as the Camino de Wisconsin, Chimayo in New Mexico and Cataldo in Idaho. But the Missions Trail near San Antonio is sanctioned.

Any I missed?

 

[JabbaPapa]

Wow that looks amazing !!

Not sure what you mean by "sanctioned", but it has the Santiago Cathedral icon on it, so it's a properly recognised Credencial anyway. And the information on the website seems to suggest that this is one of several American (not just US) Camino routes recognised by four of the major churches in the Americas.

This makes walking to Santiago from home a far more realistic prospect for many people in the Southern USA, and that is super cool. There's a cargo ship possibility to various ports in Europe out of Houston BTW so you could make your whole Camino on the surface.

 

[Yankee]

I would like more information on Caminos in the USA. My cousin has rode his bicycle across the USA twice. I have thought about walking his routes. My brother has wondered why I must go to Europe to walk when I have not seen the Grand Canyon. I am aware of hiking trails (The Appalachian Trail) but I would like hotels and restaurants on the routes. I am too old to rough it.

On another topic, there is a hiking trail in Taiwan. The Japanese in WW2 built the trail to move personnel and supplies from one side of the island to other. The trail goes through a national park and has 4 star restaurants on it. It's been a while since I heard about this trail and the political situation is iffy. I would love to walk this trail but probably not in my lifetime.

 

[grdemedeiros]

Here are two USA walks that we've had our eyes on.

Great Allegheny Passage (150 miles) https://gaptrail.org/

Erie Canalway (end-to-end is 360 miles): https://eriecanalway.org/explore/challenge

 

[eeddowes]

This is very cool! Went down the internet rabbit hole to look for more information and found this initiative took root here in the U.S. with the St. Augustine FL Diocese last year. It is hard to find more info about the walk from St. Augustine or how to obtain a credential.

Equally fascinating was learning about The Old Spanish Trail (OST), the early motor route established in very early 20th century as the automobile was beginning to be eagerly embraced. Looking at the OP's pic of the credential, it looks both paths are similar.

Finds to share :

https://thegoodnewsroom.org/st-augu...-continents-and-launches-camino-de-la-unidad/

https://caminoistheway.com/quienes-somos/

OST : if not entirely walkable, looks like another great American Road Trip! (rt.66, rt.30, etc)

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/a4fb6b3a79bd48cd8a4cf1d520a801fb

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/a4fb6b3a79bd48cd8a4cf1d520a801fb

 

[BrianLCrabtree]

Here are two USA walks that we've had our eyes on.

Great Allegheny Passage (150 miles) https://gaptrail.org/

Erie Canalway (end-to-end is 360 miles): https://eriecanalway.org/explore/challenge

I'm interested in these, too, researched them a bit, and corresponded with someone who walked them. It is certainly doable, but the trails are designed more for cycling unless you want to carry camping gear. Getting on and off the route after typical daily walking distances requires a taxi or shuttle of some sort in many places or extending your daily mileage off trail to reach accommodations. Since there are very few hostels, lodging is mostly hotels and B&Bs at typical American prices, same with food. I haven't given up on the GAP and E&O Canal path, but there are logistic challenges. If you have figured out an efficient way of walking these routes, would be very interested to hear. If you are ok with backpacking, you're good to go and it would be a fun hike.

 

[duncanwhyte]

I looked for as much as I could find of the El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro in Mexico. It runs from Mexico city to San Juan in New Mexico. It was used for nigh on 300 years. Which would have involved horses, mules, wagons and people on foot. It's not a sanctioned pilgrimage, but a historic route overland.

I found much history and a book, at this point, it's not a fully walkable Camino, end to end. I think a pilgrim would probably get a lot of support along the way. I expect the Mexicans would be very pleased. Perhaps it's doable with a support vehicle and a group, as some of the stretches are long and would need supplies.

 

[grdemedeiros]

I'm interested in these, too, researched them a bit, and corresponded with someone who walked them. It is certainly doable, but the trails are designed more for cycling unless you want to carry camping gear. Getting on and off the route after typical daily walking distances requires a taxi or shuttle of some sort in many places or extending your daily mileage off trail to reach accommodations. Since there are very few hostels, lodging is mostly hotels and B&Bs at typical American prices, same with food. I haven't given up on the GAP and E&O Canal path, but there are logistic challenges. If you have figured out an efficient way of walking these routes, would be very interested to hear. If you are ok with backpacking, you're good to go and it would be a fun hike.

Thanks for the additional information. We looked into it a bit, but quickly figured out that it would cost us less to *fly* to Europe and do any one of the Caminos or thru-walks in Italy, due to the issue of the high cost of food and lodging. It's unfortunate, I'd really love to explore the US on foot. (Without having to camp!)

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Here are two possibilities...
The Katy Trail is a beautiful 240 mile rails to trails bike ride or walking sections. I have biked long portions and walked a few. There is a variety of lodging along the way, although the distances between are not all ideal.

Katy Trail State Park | Missouri State Parks

Experience beauty and versatility! Bring your bike, your horse or your buddy on the Katy. Welcome to Katy Trail State Park, the longest developed rail-trail in the country. Katy Trail State Park attracts people of all ages and interests. Whether you are a bicyclist, walker, equestrian, nature...

mostateparks.com

the Natchez Trace Parkway is another lovely biking route (although I've only done it by car) that runs from the state of Mississippi to near Nashville. It is a relaxing backroad that has few entry points and a low speed limit for cars. Bed and breakfast inns are peppered throughout.

Natchez Trace Parkway (U.S. National Park Service)

The Natchez Trace Parkway is a 444-mile recreational road and scenic drive through three states. It roughly follows the "Old Natchez Trace," a historic travel corridor used by American Indians, "Kaintucks," European settlers, slave traders, soldiers, and future presidents. Today, people can...

www.nps.gov

 

[falcon269]

C&O Canal towpath in Maryland from Cumberland to Washington, DC. There are campsites with tested well water about every 5 miles and one hostel near Harper's Ferry where the Appalachian Trail crosses. 184.5 miles of very flat hiking.

C&O Canal Towpath – C&O Canal Trust

www.canaltrust.org

 

[oursonpolaire]

Those US pilgrims who might adventure northward will find a slew of pilgrimage routes in Québec, most of which have access to accommodation along the way, and for which guides have been written: The chemin de Sanctuaires from St-Joseph Basilica in Montreal to Ste-Anne-de-Beaupré; le chemin des Navigateurs along the south shore of the Saint Lawrence to Sainte Anne; le chemin de l'Outouais from Ottawa to Saint Joseph's basilica via the Cistercian monastery at Oka; Le sentier Notre-Dame Kapatakan, etc.

While they don't need passports to enter Canada, they will need them to return to the US!